The great Harry Potter adventure is over and we've been enthralled by the wizardry, excitement and unexpected twists in its storyline.

Well, we crave more like all gluttons - and to ensure the next instalment Newcastle United must meet the challenge of Blackburn Rovers head on at St James's Park tomorrow. If Champions League football is to return then further points must be gathered to pay for it.

Europe will only be achieved through one of the top four positions in the Premiership - including, dare we say it, the championship - and therefore the past cannot be dwelled upon. Only the present and future matter. Any lingering feeling of disappointment after Barcelona must be swept away as United attempt for one final time this season to continue their amazing post-Euro exploits.

They simply never lose after midweek conflict against a continent's best and that is required this last time. Newcastle have the energy, the ability, the ambition, and the optimism of youth to do it - but Blackburn come as dangerous party-poopers. They have just completed the double over title-holders Arsenal to throw open the championship door and breathe life into the flagging hopes of Manchester United and Newcastle. Now they are due at St James's and have still to go to Old Trafford.

Yes, Rovers will have a great say in destiny. Their ability on any given day to produce a big result is underlined by their last four excursions on to the football field. Blackburn have played Arsenal, Chelsea away, Manchester City and Southampton and beaten them all.

Manager Graeme Souness drives them on in the old manner - confrontational with a fist of steel on the tiller. He has publicly clashed with superstars David Dunn and Andy Cole and warned Keith Gillespie that a terrific show against the Gunners last Saturday won't guarantee him a contract for next season. When saying boo to any extremely well-heeled and egotistical young man these days can spell the end, it's a brave way of running a ship.

Yet Blackburn seem to cruise through choppy waters producing the unexpected feeling that the aggression of Souness somehow galvanises those insulted into greater deeds. Tomorrow is littered with intriguing reunions - Alan Shearer against the club where he won his only Premier League championship, Cole back where he broke Newcastle's goalscoring record. Gillespie, who a few years ago downed Barca right here with his service to Tino Asprilla, returning only three days after the current United side failed to repeat his heroics. Throw in Craig Bellamy, Dwight Yorke and Hakan Sukur and the artillery on display bristles with power.

The relentless pace and willingness of Bellamy and Kieron Dyer - magnificent during Newcastle's Euro goodbye - will test and taunt Rovers. However, no player is perfect - with the possible exception of Pele and George Best - and if Bellamy lacks anything it is the ability to score goals regularly. He has talked of sacrificing that glory for the greater need of the team - and he does provide an endless stream of opportunities - but against Barcelona they all fell to him and disappeared like snowflakes in the Sahara.

Craig has yet to make double figures this season and for a front man, even with his suspensions and injuries, that return is not world-class because he often creates shooting situations for himself out of nothing with his cheekiness and quick legs.

However, make no mistake about it, Bellamy remains an integral part of a brave, young, adventuresome Newcastle side and we're happy to accept what we've got. Jonathan Woodgate's return to man the defences will help the cause in negating Rovers' forward threat. Without decrying those who deputise and do sterling work, Woodgate is a class above the willing - and that at this level can be a major difference.

Blackburn will arrive defiantly and it is up to the Maggies to go out and get what they want. One book may be finished but another is waiting to be started.